Social Chatting -- December 2015

That's awesome!

I'll be honoured to pr@y for those things!!

It's time for me to leave for the meeting, so I need to get off too. Thanks so much for chatting! I was so very encouraged!! big hug

Ok. :) G220 radio is done by a friend of mine, Ricky G., who does evan.gelism in the Cleveland area. And recently he had someone with the same name as your dad talking about evan.gelism on there.

Sarah!! How are you doing, sister?

I so wish I could stay on longer, but I have to head to the meeting with the cops now. Hopefully we can catch up soon!

big hug

Answers briefly before leaving
Really? The name sounds familiar. That's really interesting…now I know I'll have to ask Dad about it tomorrow! :)

Bye, Leah! Praying it all goes well.

returns hugs I'm praying for you! Hopefully I'll catch you around sometime soon!

I'm about 5 ft 3 1/2. I know someone who's 16 and Steve looks about his height, just judging from your picture. I don't think Zach's that tall... He's like 5'11, right? ^waits for affirmation from the person in question^

I'm 5' 10" actually. I think Steve's around the same.

Whatever. All I know is that he's way taller than me... xP

He doesn't look THAT tall...to me! xP xP

facepalms well to me he is… :p

I'm about 5 ft 3 1/2. I know someone who's 16 and Steve looks about his height, just judging from your picture. I don't think Zach's that tall... He's like 5'11, right? ^waits for affirmation from the person in question^

I'm 5' 10" actually. I think Steve's around the same.

Whatever. All I know is that he's way taller than me... xP

He doesn't look THAT tall...to me! xP xP

Hahaha!! Actually I'm 6' xD

10 or 9 in. taller than me… :P

God is very powerful! I was just reflecting on all the wonderful 'accidents' He brought into my life…

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow!

Is Sarah staying, or was that goodnight? :)

Hey?

Hey, Bethany. =)

Is Sarah staying, or was that goodnight? :)

This Sarah is staying. :-)

Hi Rosie! How are you today?

@Sarah and Bethany: Hello to both of you then! :D How are you both? I'm doing fairly well, Bethany ^as you asked. ;)^.

I'm doing fairly well! Probably a bit overtired, but I think we all are this time of year. :-)

I'm… Well, … Pretty much sums it up. Haven't really had the greatest day on many fronts. :(

Yup, the end of the year is always a busy time! What does the rest of your week look like?

Aw, sorry to hear that. Have you not been feeling well, or things were just kind of falling apart all day? ^Don't answer if you'd rather not.^ Those days tend to be rather discouraging. :-/ When I've had a day like that, reading my Bible (often in the Psalms) for a while, listening to some uplifting music, and unloading my "sack of troubles" to Him always helps. :) hug

Tomorrow shouldn't be too terribly busy; although we'll all probably have to get up pretty early. We took all our Christmas presents out of their boxes tonight and put them under the tree, and if nobody's keeping a close eye on Zeke in the morning, he will have opened all of them before we're even awake. xD This weekend is really just enjoying Christmas break. :-)

How about you? Does your family have anything special planned for Christmas?

That's great. ;D Ah, if you all are getting up early, I shouldn't keep you up!

We're going to a local homeless shelter with our church to sing carols, pass out food, clothing, and gospel tracts - and the some of the men (including Dad) are going to do some preaching. :)

It was really a combination of both. I've been sick, I didn't get a good sleep (and now I can't sleep), and my foot hurts really bad. I had a stressful day in the kitchen as I was working in there for about 10 hours today. Church with Zeke is really not a very relaxing or peaceful event either. And I have been surrounded by the Devils lies these past few days. I really just need to get away somewhere to pray without someone hitting me.
Thanks!

Rough day, indeed. Definitely try to get away to pray if you can! :) It's amazing how calming + comforting prayer often is…
Then try to get some sleep if you can! What kind of sickness do you have?

It's alright–I probably wouldn't be in bed for a couple of hours anyway. :-)

That's awesome! I wish our family could do something like that, but between Mom and Dad's chronic pain and Zeke's autism, it just isn't realistic. :-)

You're a night owl, I take it? ;) What do you normally do with your time all evening?

Ah, understood. Are you able to take part in any other types of ministry opportunities, though?

I totally agree! Prayer is so refreshing and restoring! Haha I get an energy surge around 9:30, so it'll probably be a few hours till i sleep…

I've been having intestinal issues whenever I eat, it's really frustrating. So basically any time I eat I end up feeling sick.

Oh, what time is it there? For whatever reason, I was thinking we were in the same time zone.

Gracious, that is frustrating. I was just telling another friend recently that it's people like you who keep me from complaining about my small food troubles. :-/ :)

You're a night owl, I take it? ;) What do you normally do with your time all evening? Ah, understood. Are you able to take part in any other types of ministry opportunities, though?

Indeed :-) Normally I spend my evening doing school that I couldn't get done during the day, and working on piano (I generally practice 1–1 1/2 hours per day). Now that I'm on Christmas break, I've been using the extra time to wrap presents, help in the kitchen, talk to all you awesome people, etc. :-)

I'm able to do ministry occasionally, though not as often as I'd like. My opportunities have increased by a lot since I started going to our church's youth group, which I'm grateful for. :-)

It's 10:50 right now. I'm waiting for a chance to shower, then I'm going to try to sleep. Note the try in there… XD

What kinds of food problems do you have?

Isn't it funny how it's often easier to get lots more school done in the evening than during the day? For me, I think it comes from being the oldest daughter in a big family. xD
You listen to/play a lot of The Piano Guys, right?

What kinds of opportunities have you had in your youth group?

Oh, so you guys ( ^ahem girls^ ) are just an hour behind. Mmkay. So I'll assume you may be heading out soon?

Just a very small one, nothing big like most people with food problems. :) I have a constant problem with canker sores in my mouth (let's say, it's abnormal for me not to have them), and any food with acid in it burns + irritates them badly. So I generally have to avoid eating those types of food; otherwise, I'm almost guaranteed a few canker sores the next day. :P

It sure is! I think that for me, the cause is twofold: 1) the house is much less noisy late at night, and 2) I seem to be allergic to sleep. Seriously. Not only am I more alert in the evening than in the morning, but I seem to function significantly better on 3-4 hours of sleep than on 8-9 hours. :-)
Yes, I do! Lately I've been messing with their renditions of "Titanium" and "Angels We Have Heard on High", trying to figure out how two small hands can replicate their complicated music. :-)

The two big opportunities have been volunteering at Arc Value Village back in November, and our missions trip to Nicaragua this summer. :-)
Do you/your family get a lot of ministry opportunities?

Hey look! Rosie is on again! :) hopefully not good to bed?? ;P

Maybe? lol. I'm not really tired anymore, but I'll regret it later if I don't soon. Zeke will have me up at the crack of dawn.

Oh ouch! I used to have a problem kind of like that, I would constantly be biting my mouth, so it hurt to eat anything.

I agree that the house is much less noisy! Probably the only time of day that it's truly quiet around here. ;D
Wow, that is rather strange how your body functions like that - but…I think I can somewhat relate. However, I don't normally get quite that little; probably more like, 5-6 hours. ;)
"Titanium" is great, though, I haven't heard their version of "Angels We Have Heard on High." Where do you get their sheet music? I only have a few of theirs, and that's from Musescore.com.
I listen to a bunch of their stuff and really love it. Very inspirational music to listen to while I'm doing school. ;D What are some of your favorites by them?

Ooh! Was that your first time out of the country?
We don't get a ton of opportunities, but we do have some - various things for my Bright Lights group, homeless shelters up in Cleveland each month with our church, some evangelizing, etc.

Hey Steve! Welcome! :) No, not heading there quite yet. xD How are you this week?!

Thanks! Great! Doing pretty well! Having siblings back is really nice xD how are you?

Lol, is your brother an early bird, always up at dawn?

Sadly, I don't get them from simply biting my mouth…I also, and mainly get them from simply eating those types of foods (our doctor said that can happen if your body is too acidic or something), and sometimes stress (a constant reminder to me to not be anxious).

That's awesome! Are they there for the rest of the week? What do you all do when you're together?
I'm doing fairly well. :)

They came home for winter break from college and are here for another two weeks. :) well this week we've all been prepping for Christmas, and I've been hunting, as well.
Fairly well? What all hve you been up to? I haven't seen Nickboy on here lately. :/
I so wish I could have met y'all at Nats!!!!!!!! :'/

Yeah. :/ He usually is up by 7. Really not that early, but when he doesn't fall asleep until 11 or so, it really not much sleep for a 5 year old. It dosent help that he understands Christmas this year, so he probably will get up early to open gifts.

Oh, fun… lol

Haha, same at our house! Unless Zeke is really restless, in which case we can hear him kicking the walls well past 11:00. :-)
I know! I've never met anyone who can explain why I do better with less sleep. I'm certainly not going to complain about it, though–I have a feeling it'll come in handy many times in the future. :-)
You should listen to "Angels We Have Heard on High"; it's probably one of my favorite renditions of any Christmas song.
Technically, I don't get their sheet music. xD I've found that, especially with music like the Piano Guys', I prefer playing by ear over using sheet music. That way, not only can I ensure that my hands are physically capable of playing the music, but I can mess with the harmonies, add a second melody in the left hand, etc., which enables me to replicate the combination of two instruments a little bit better. :-)
My favorite Piano Guys songs would probably be "Arwen's Vigil", "Angels We Have Heard on High", and pretty much any of their pop/classical medley-mashup-thingamajigs. :-) What are some of your favorites?

I actually haven't gone on the trip yet–I just turned in my application on Sunday. :-) It won't be my first time out of the country though. I've been to Canada, Mexico, and Australia before. :-)
That's neat! How do you generally make whole-family ministry work with so many little ones in your family?

I should probably get going to bed; it's 11:20. ^As should you, seeing as it's past midnight where you live. xP^ Talk to you later! Have a fun and blessed Christmas! :-D

Wow, that's great! What do you all have planned for Christmas? Have you shot anything while hunting so far?
Haha, yeah, just fairly well. Just tired + sick, and busy. Always an interesting combo. but as always, better than I deserve - so I can't complain. :D
I've been doing school, going out with friends, making handmade stuff, writing out 2016 goals, etc. As a family, we've been super busy visiting + having friends over, cooking, shopping, and making cards this week.
So wish we could've been at Nats too… :-/ But hey, God apparently had other plans for us. Lord willing, next year, though. :)
Nicolas has been busy with work and school, but he does spy on here. x)

Haha, I'm sure that will come in handy one day! x) I live on very little sleep too, but I do like my sleep when I can get it. :P

Wow, that takes talent to be so apt with playing by ear and creating such renditions! I'm such a sight-reader.
Some of my favorite Piano Guys' songs would probably be "Fight Song/Amazing Grace," "Beethoven's 5th Secret," "Because of You," and "Story of my Life." :)

Lol, okay, that's pretty awesome. :D

Goodnight, Sarah! ^I know…I am also a big night owl. :P But hey, I can sleep in tomorrow!^ hug

PIANO GUYS DOES FIGHT SONG?!? THATS LIKE MY FAV SONG EVER!!!!!!!!

^sorry for my reaction. that song is awesome^

Haha, yes, a mix between "Fight Song" and "Amazing Grace." :)

Haha I'm listening to it right now!

Well we had our family get together tonight - special dinner, singing, talking, reading the Bible, giving gifts, ext. Tomorrow we go to my mom's inlaws for dinner. What do you guys do for Christmas? (I feel like I asked this last year ;p)
Cool :) what kind of things do you make? Sounds like you've been busy. xD (probably an understatement, right?)
It's true :) and yes, I hope you guys do go next year! Lord willing I hope to be able to go back. :)
Ah, Mmkay - still doing carpentry? Tell him I miss talking with him. :D

It's definitely not as good as any of the originals, but I really liked it!

I could assume that tonight was a special time then? :) We don't do much for Christmas anymore like we used to years ago, but every year, we go to a local homeless shelter with our church to sing carols, pass out food, clothing, and gospel tracts - and some of the men (including Dad) preach the gospel for a few minutes. We're also visiting relatives. :) (You probably did ask last year; but then again, I probably did too. xP)
Oh, I don't make anything grand - just scarves, headbands, pillows, and the like. Well, it sounds like an understatement, but despite it all, it never feels terribly hectic (maybe to other people, it's just normal for us xD).
That reminds me - thanks for signing the BB t-shirt! I wear that shirt all the time. ^ _ ^
Construction, actually. :) He started an internship at a Christian construction company this summer, so that's cool. :)

Btw, we'll be sending our family newsletter out soon!

Mmkay. ;)